whenever he could, forging friendships with iran's mahmoud ahmedinejad, syria's embattled bashar al- assad and he formed an especially close bond with cuban presidents fidel, and raul castro. while relishing his role rallying the latin american left against u.s. led free trade and anti-terrorism efforts, chavez had an opponent he couldn't beat in cancer. he bore his sufferings in public, talking about his treatment, showing the effects of radiation and chemotherapy. then after treatments in cuba, he would pronounce himself cleared of cancer, and ready to return to the country's business. >> free, i am totally free. >> reporter: during last year's campaign, he didn't disclose specifics about the nature, location, or severity of the cancers. >> ( translated ): i'm leaving, but the high political authority, although i will not hand it over, i will delegate it and it is in good hands. here is nicolas maduro and all of the political cabinet of the republic. >> reporter: after he left the government in the hands of his hand-picked number two, chavez' treatment and condition remained shrouded in